And in political news, the deadline to submit applications to contest the municipal elections for the PUP is tomorrow, and one day before, deputy mayor Allan Pollard put his hat into the ring for mayor.
As you've heard before, Mayor Bernard Wagner has said he will not run if he faces a challenge. Well he has one now.
And that declaration did not stop Pollard, and today he told us that he is trying to be a role model to the youths who reach out to him with political aspirations. He explained that if he's not moving up the ladder, he isn't really setting an example, and that his ultimate goal is to put his name back on the ballot in a general election.
Allan Pollard, Deputy Mayor
"It just felt right. Coming in from 2018, being at the Council level, serving at many different departments within the City Hall and different positions, I believe that with all I've learned, the experience that I've garnered so far, it's only fitting that myself, being in the position that the opportunity presents itself whereby I can be a candidate or I can be considered the next mayor, I think it's only right that I made that decision. I think that a lot of people looking on, a lot of young people looking on, I've had so many people calling and asking about advice and how to get involved as aa candidate for a councillor and I think if I'm going to be that person who will pioneer the young people going into elections then I have to, at some point, move on to other levels as well to show them that, yes you're young, but you're not only good enough to just be a councillor, you could be mayor, you could be minister, you could be anything you want be as long as you put the right foot forward and your mind in the right space and you're determined, something could happen."
"I believe that Central Government is the ultimate goal for me considering all things and my last bid how it went out and how it played out, I believe that as a 28-year-old there's still a lot of time to do a lot of things, especially gaining experience, being in different leadership roles so getting to that position or minister or area representative, I think now the skills that I have achieved at this level can definitely be something that will be very useful going into that next level over there."
Reporter:
"Are you aware of others who have placed their names for the same position?"
Allan Pollard, Deputy Mayor
"Well of course and I think that's something that shouldn't scare you as a candidate at all, that should welcome you to participate. You want it to be a process where democracy prevails, that's what we should want as a party. The minute we have no one contesting then that says something about our party, no one wants to get involved, and I think this is a good indication of people wanting to get involved, people wanting to get in the process, I think it's a great thing."
But did he disrespect the current mayor, knowing that Wagner wants - and feels he deserves - a third term? Pollard says the way he sees it, democracy is necessary in every party, and he doesn't anticipate any animosity leading up to the elections.
Reporter:
"Interestingly, you know your mayor has said he will not run if he is contested, do you think this move now will force him to step down and step out of the race?"
Allan Pollard, Deputy Mayor
"I don't see it that way, personally. I see it that if he doesn't contest, then somebody has to. I see it in that light and I think the mayor understands my position that I'm all for the convention process and he reserves his right to go about things that way and I don't think him expressing his desires and what path he is taking has anything to do with us forcing his hand or him forcing the hand of anybody, I think that's his path and reserves that right."
Reporter:
"But seeing as how you're vying for your boss' job essentially, don't you think it will cause some sort of disharmony in the council?"
Allan Pollard, Deputy Mayor
"I don't think so, I think both of enjoy the support of the council, I think we have a very united council and if you know me and you know how I work and others who work with me in the council would understand that I am not a divisive person, i'm all for unity, I'm all for harmony within the party and in the council itself and the thing is, we should all be working and we're all working for the same goal for the same party, so as long as we have that in mind, I don't see anybody feeling as if though it's time to separate, it's time to fight, anything like that. I think it's a peaceful process that we're doing here."
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